Ben Carter
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, and were the primary source of artificial lighting for most people until the mid-19th century. Before the invention of matchsticks, candles were lit using a variety of methods, including fire steels, flints, and tapers. In the 1600s, candles were typically made from tallow, which was rendered from animal fat, though beeswax candles were also used, particularly in church ceremonies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fire source | Fire steel, flint and steel, or a central hearth fire |
| Tinderbox contents | Char cloth, plant fibers, pinewood splinters |
| Transfer method | Thin piece of wood, wax-covered wick, or hemp/twine rope |
| Candle type | Tallow, beeswax, or bayberry |
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What You'll Learn
Fire steel and tinderboxes
The tinderbox contained a flint nodule and a steel striker, which when struck against each other, created sparks. Tinder, which could be anything dry and flammable, was placed in the bottom of the box under a metal disk, and the sparks ignited the tinder. Charred linen rags, dried moss, leaves, fungus, and raw unspun flax were all commonly used as tinder.
Tinderboxes were a common household item, often kept on the mantlepiece, and were an essential tool for lighting fires and candles. They were also used to light lamps and stoves. The fire steel was often hung over the fingers of the left hand, while the flint was held between the finger and thumb of the right hand, and the two were struck together to create sparks.
The use of fire steel and tinderboxes has a long history, dating back to early Roman times and continuing through the Medieval and Viking eras. The shape of the fire steel varied, with some being simple and others decorative, but the classic C-shaped fire steel was the most common style of flint striker. The human hand's shape guaranteed similarities between steels in different cultures.
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Transferring flame from hearths
In the 1600s, hearths were kept burning throughout the day, usually starting in the morning. As they were often the only source of light and heat, they were rarely put out intentionally. To transfer the flame from the hearth to a candle, a thin piece of wood, known as a taper, would be lit from the fire and used to light the candle. These tapers could also be made of rush or fibre, or a long candle wick covered in wax.
To create a spark to light the hearth, flint and steel were used. The steel would be struck down across the sharp edge of the flint, shearing off tiny flakes of metal and creating sparks. To turn the spark into a flame, the spark would be caught on a flammable material called char cloth. The glowing char cloth would then be transferred to a bundle of tow and blown into a flame. The flaming tow could then be used to ignite the hearth.
Other methods of creating a spark include using a fire-plough, as demonstrated by the Maori people of New Zealand, and striking stones. The latter method was used by Homo Erectus ancestors in Africa, who were inspired by naturally occurring flames from forest fires and lightning strikes.
Before the invention of matchsticks, people would keep a small fire going for as long as possible, as lighting something with a bow and drill, or flint and steel, was time-consuming and annoying. If someone did not have a personal fire, they could ask a neighbour for some fire to light their own.
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Rushlights
In the 1600s, before the invention of matchsticks, candles were often lit using a small fire that was kept burning throughout the day. This fire would be used to light lamps or candles, transferring the flame to where it was needed. People would also light fires by striking sparks with flint and steel or spinning a stick to create friction and light tinder.
One specific method of lighting used during this time was through the use of rushlights. A rushlight is a type of candle or miniature torch made from the dried pith of the rush plant, which is then soaked in fat or grease. The rush plant's outer fibre is stripped away, exposing the pith, which is then dipped in melted fat and used as a taper for illumination. Rushlights were extremely inexpensive to make and provided better light than some poorly dipped candles. They were a common source of artificial light for poor people throughout the British Isles for several centuries.
The burning rushlight was typically held at an angle of about 45 degrees using metal clips. If held vertically, the rushlight produced a dimmer flame, while holding it horizontally caused it to burn too quickly. To address this issue, various devices were designed to keep the rushlight vertical, such as nightlights made from perforated tin or sheet-iron cylinders. These nightlights allowed the light to shine through the holes and were often mounted on iron tripods or wooden blocks.
The length and burn time of rushlights varied, with some sources claiming an average length of 12 inches (30 cm) and a burn time of 10 to 15 minutes. Others reported longer rushlights of 28.5 inches (72 cm) that burned for up to 57 minutes. The quality of rushlights also varied significantly, with some flickering and spluttering for an hour while others burned away in just ten minutes.
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Beeswax candles
Beeswax was often imported from long distances, which contributed to its high price. In the Middle East, during the Abbasid and Fatimid Caliphates, beeswax was the dominant material for candle-making, with candle-makers in Egypt using beeswax from Tunis. Similarly, in Europe, beeswax was imported, and its expense meant that most commoners used oil lamps instead.
The process of making beeswax candles in the 1600s involved dipping wicks in molten wax or rolling the wax by hand around a wick. The dipping method, which was first introduced by the Romans, was also used by colonists in the 18th century and is still used today. The wick was typically made from cotton and needed to be trimmed to around 1/4 inch before each burn to ensure optimal burning and prevent the flame from becoming too large.
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Tallow candles
The process of making tallow candles involved dipping a wick into molten fat or wax repeatedly until it reached the desired size. They could also be made by shaping them by hand, rolling soft wax around a wick, or pouring fat or wax onto a wick. The Tallow Chandlers' Company, formed in about 1300, regulated the production of tallow candles in London.
In the 1600s, tallow candles were likely lit using tapers, which were thin pieces of wood, rush, or fibre, or long candle wicks covered in wax. These tapers would be lit from a central fire or hearth, and then used to light candles, stoves, or lamps. Keeping a constant fire burning was important, as it served as the main source of light and heat.
Towards the end of the 17th century, new candle-making materials like spermaceti and paraffin wax began to replace tallow. However, tallow remained important, finding a new use in soap manufacturing.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles were often lit using a fire steel to ignite the contents of a tinderbox. The flame was then transferred to a candle using a wooden splint.
Candles were made of tallow, which gave them an unpleasant brownish colour. They also needed constant attention once lit, as they tended to sputter and smoke.
Candles could be held in simple wooden or brass holders, or something more elaborate like a freestanding candelabra. They were often supported by spikes rather than cup-type holders.
Oil lamps were widely used for domestic and public lighting. Rush-lights were also used, made by dipping the pith from inside a rush in animal fat.
Candles were generally only lit at night, as people were used to working by daylight. Lighting candles during the day was considered a luxury.
